Extra postage on absentee ballot
I discovered this morning that Montana's Primary Absentee ballots cost 59 cents to mail (not the standard 42 cents), because of the extra weight of enclosing the unused Republican or Democratic ballot. Postage rates just went up one cent on Monday.
The election officials have not indicated this anywhere on the ballot envelope, and the post office was unsure as to what would happen with the ballots if the postage was not sufficient, i.e. it is possible that they could go uncounted.
So I am sending this out in hopes that you will also pass this information on so that if you use the convenience of voting with an absentee ballot, your vote will be sure to be counted!
Debi Strong
Thanks to the Flathead
Dear Flathead community a big "THANK YOU" from the Lighthouse.
The Lighthouse Christian Home for Disabled Adults held their 3rd Annual 2008 Swing Dance Fundraiser on March 1, 2008 at the Lodge At Whitefish Lake and your support was mind blowing. Thanks to our businesses and individuals for helping us far exceed our expectations. Your generosity through donations, time, and effort was an integral cog in this wheel of success.
All of the evening's events would not have been possible without the special support of the staff at the Lodge At Whitefish Lake. Our co-sponsors: Mountain West Bank, Midway Rental/Midway Rental Celebrate, Source One Mortgage, Glacier Bank of Bigfork, and JCCS Accounting demonstrated the "Heart" they have for the community they serve and deserve everybody's patronage. Thank you Jim Trout, Kent Reimer, Kelly Skare, Deanna McAtee, Susan Williams, and Bob Heffernan for your leadership and compassion.
We also want to recognize the talents and support of B.J. Lupton's Swinging On High Big Band and the FHS Swing Dance Club directed by Mrs. Vicki Hyde for donating their time to the evening's entertainment. Our heartfelt "thanks" also go to the many auction donors as well as those who purchased raffle tickets for the $2,000 worth of gas donated by local individuals and businesses.
Congratulations to our winners Kip Willis and Sarah Etzler of Kalispell for winning a $1,000 of gas each. Could it have come at a better time? What a blessing and thank you.
The residents, parents, staff, and Board members are grateful for the event's "closing the gap " between what we need and what we have for this coming year. We humbly seek the Lord's direction in this coming year, desiring to be good stewards of your gifts. May the Lord favor each and every one of you.
Jim Beranek
Event Chairman
Paul still there
Ron Paul is getting closer to the finish line all the time, thanks largely to ongoing fall-out. I think it is time to get the big story out that he is very much in the "running," his name is on the ballot, he is the keynote speaker at the Montana State Republican Convention, in Missoula, (June 19-21) and he is still living and practicing by the same characteristic high principles he has always followed. Too many people are unaware that he is still very much a candidate for the presidency of the United States. Voters do not have to agonize over deciding between "three" candidates each with individual shortcomings. THERE ARE FOUR CHOICES OUT THERE.
Clarice Ryan
Bigfork
Primary Election Choices
I am particularly interested in this year's election here in our home state of Montana. With the way things are shaping-up on the national level, it's a good bet that Montana Primary Election voters (Tuesday, June 3) will help determine who our National Democratic Candidate for President will be. Combine this possibility with personal trips to our state by both Barack and Hillary; we have the makings of a very influential Montana Primary Election indeed. Record voter turn-out is predicted.
In addition to helping select the Democratic presidential candidate, Montana voters will also be asked to select our state's Attorney General Candidate. Mike Wheat is competing in Montana's Democratic Attorney General Primary.
I've known Mike for close to 30 years. I believe in Mike's character, as well as his superior qualifications and experience in political office. However, if I was to pick one thing I particularly admire about Mike, it would be his consensus building experience in working within Montana State Government, serving as a State Senator from Gallatin County for two terms (2003 -2005). Working with "both sides of the aisle," Mike managed to steer important bills through our legislature in Helena, resulting in important benefits for all Montanans.
Finally, I believe many voters would agree that national and state politics has become more and more divisive, resulting in legislative gridlock. Quite frankly, this bothers me, and I've a hunch that the solution lies in breaking this political log jam. Mike gets results! He has been accomplishing this in the Senate, and he will continue this valuable work as Attorney General - with your help.
Please help continue this process by voting in our Democratic Primary on June 3. And, if you agree with me, I hope that you will help elect Mike Wheat as our Democratic Candidate for Montana's Attorney General.
Charlie Pinkava
Bozeman